Nana’s Storybook Corner
Gentle storybooks for shy, brave, and tender little hearts.
Welcome to Nana’s Story Corner — a cozy little place for bedtime stories, gentle courage, and tender hearts. Here, we share stories that help children feel brave and supported as they grow.
My first story, Filo and the Taming of the Tummy-Butterflies, was inspired by my own shy and nervous heart. Like Filo, I understand what it feels like to stand in front of others with butterflies fluttering inside. This story is for children who feel nervous, shy, or unsure — and for the grown-ups who love and support them.
Meet Filo
Filo is a shy little rabbit with a brave heart and fluttery butterflies in his tummy. New places, meeting new friends, and standing in front of others can make him feel nervous. But with love, deep breaths, and one small step at a time, Filo learns that being brave means trying even when you feel afraid.
On the day of the school play, Filo the rabbit wakes up with butterflies fluttering wildly in his tummy. He feels shy around new faces, small in loud places, and worries that his voice might not come out right — a feeling he knows well. With the gentle guidance of Mama Rabbit and his warm teacher, Old Moss Bear, Filo learns that one slow breath can change everything. This is a tender story about big feelings, quiet courage, and the gentle truth that even the smallest hearts can learn to fly.
Ages 3–7
Why I Wrote This Story
As a child, I knew what those tummy butterflies felt like. Meeting new people made my heart race, and speaking up in noisy places felt impossible. I often felt small and overwhelmed, like everyone else knew how to belong. I still experience that sometimes. Even now, moments come when my cheeks flush, my thoughts tangle, and that familiar flutter reminds me I’m about to do something important.
I’ve learned that my breath is always there. By pausing and placing a hand on my chest, I remind myself I’ve overcome tough moments before. This doesn’t make the butterflies go away, but it quiets them, turning them into gentle wings instead of warnings.
I wrote this book because I wish someone had told me sooner: feeling nervous doesn’t mean something is wrong with you. It means you are alive, and growing, and brave enough to try.
If your child knows this feeling, too, hold their hand. Breathe with them. And remind them, the way Mama Rabbit reminds Filo, that courage doesn’t mean the butterflies are gone. It means you step forward anyway.
We are all still learning to fly.
For Little Brave Hearts
This book is for children who feel shy, nervous, or unsure about speaking in front of others. Through Filo’s gentle story, little readers are reminded that their feelings are not wrong — and that courage can begin with one small breath.